Michael Douglas 'Very Optimistic' About Battling Throat Tumor

August 17, 2010 (3:01 am) GMT

A rep for Douglas affirmed that doctors have found a tumor in the actor's throat and plan to treat him with eight weeks of radiation and chemotherapy.

Michael Douglas has been diagnosed with a tumor in his throat, his rep confirmed to People. According to the rep, Douglas' doctors expect the 65-year-old actor to make a full recovery soon after completing eight weeks of treatment, which includes radiation and chemotherapy.

Douglas himself is being positive about his battle with the disease. The husband of Catherine Zeta-Jones said in a statement, "I am very optimistic."

Larynx cancers are usually related to smoking and heavy drinking, Robert Haddad of the head and neck cancer program at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute explained to USA Today. Haddad further mentioned that cancers around the tonsils are often caused by a virus called HPV, which also causes cervical cancers. He also stated doctors typically don't use the term throat cancer to describe tumors of the esophagus.